Dec 06, 2008 - 04:06:08 CST
It's been a month since undefeated Bismarck claimed its fourth straight state boys cross country title, but the team's biggest race may lie ahead.Competing as the Demon Cross Country Club, the team will run in the Nike Team Nationals today in Portland,Ore.
The team qualified for the national meet by placing second in the Heartland Regional run two weeks ago at Sioux Falls,S.D. With a score of 65, Bismarck finished three points behind regional champion Wyzata, Minn. Teams from seven states were entered.
"It certainly is a special opportunity to compete against the very best," said Darrell Anderson, who shares Demons coaching duties with Dave Zittleman. "...To qualify is an amazing accomplishment for each of these boys."
Bismarck is among 22 teams to advance to Portland. Two teams from each of the nation's nine regions qualified along with four at-large picks.
The boys race, scheduled for 2 p.m. CST will consist of 199 runners - seven from each of the 22 qualifying teams and 45 others picked from non-qualifying teams.
Running for the Demon club will be seniors Joash Osoro, DevinHuzenga, Josh Nuss and Dion Schulz, and juniors Christian Brown Otter, BrandonBarnes and Josh Hintz. Senior Coty Hintz and sophomore Alex Huizenga will compete in the open division.
Bismarck is currently ranked 15th in the national team rankings and Osoro, the Heartland Regional runner-up, is among the top 20 individuals.
The race will be shown live on the Internet at Runnerspace.com.
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